Eating with the locals: Le Tournebievre, Astier and cafe Loustic, Paris

Booking a restaurant, bar or cafe where you eat with the locals has become a quest for me. A bistro or brasserie brimming with neighbourhood Madames and Monsieurs is like hitting the jackpot to my lot. You feel more immersed within their culture and somehow reassured that the famous French palette will guide you.

So, here I shall share a few of my successes: Le Tournebievre (along the River Seine by Notre Dame), Astier (north end of The Marais area) and Loustic (also in the 3rd Arrondissement)

Le Tournebievre is full of dark slate and glass with wall hangings alluding to the history of this part of the river Seine. Cosy and friendly we felt very welcome and happy there

There are only 3 choices of each course. I like that, as it shows a real confidence in their food. Our expectations are high. As we scan the lunch menu my daughter spies the cocktail list.

The staff are brilliant here and although they don’t usually serve cocktails at this time the main chef leaves his kitchen and makes Charlotte a Daiquiri

It turns out to be one of the best cocktails we have tasted in a long time. Well done that man!

My tartine with pesto was scrummy. All crunchy, cheesy, moist and moreish

The tartare was fishy, fresh and satisfying

And the snails were, well, very nice (I’m told). I’m yet to go there…

By now the restaurant was filling up with smartly dressed locals. There were several celebrations going on. The atmosphere was lovely. Ta da! Our Cassolette Oceane…

We eat this slowly and quietly (for us) as we savoured every bite

For dessert I opted for this beauty. They called it a Cafe liegeois, a classic in France. It’s all creamy, with sweetened coffee and ice-cream. It’s divine

My daughter went for this tempting little chocolate cake, with its caramel butter sauce

Daaamn good

The men were super smart and opted for the Cafe Gourmond and got themselves a selection of not-so-little classics.

Fortunately we do a tremendous amount of walking during our city breaks. So, inevitably we need another pit-stop/re-fuel/excuse for more French coffee. Cue Cafe Loustic

It’s super funky and full of beautiful students and cool young persons meeting up

Friendly staff politely put up with our pigeon French and serve us exactly what we wanted (turns out they spoke English very well)

The coffee was delicious and hit the spot

The owner, and dude, Chana adds even more soul to the place by offering everyone a little chocolate egg (for Easter)

Loving life and feeling refreshed we hit the streets once again.

Tired after a long but brilliant day seeing the sights, staggering into the brasserie Astier felt like a warm hug as soon as we stepped in. The staff were friendly, helpful and humorous too

It’s spring, so of course we all opted for the new seasons asparagus (well I liked the idea of a runny egg, but seasonality sounds better)

Feeling better already, we’ve settled in. Enjoying seeing the waiter fetch wine from an impossibly tiny cellar

My scallop dish was incredibly pretty and as fresh as can be

James went for the lamb with all its oniony yumminess beneath and mashed potato naughtiness on the side

The table is rather full, no room for that jus

The restaurant by now was full, buzzing and full of families. We were offered a cheese course. The boys went for it and us girls were happy to let our dinner get down ready for a dessert

A beautiful tray of cheeses were set on our table

Being English we politely waited to be served, happily discussing the merits of this and that type of cheese

Still waiting…

Finally, the waiter come over and asks, ‘What are you afraid of? Please, help yourself’

We did, we dug in. We lost composure. We ‘cheesed-up’. Apologies to these two who are much more French chic than we are

Because their parents are still un-hinged

Thankfully, the cheese was removed and desserts arrived.

I take chocolate mousse very seriously and this was in my top 3 of my life time. My current favs were served at the Hotel Eden in Rome and a tucked away restaurant in Florence. This one had honeycomb pieces within in and a chocolate sauce too!! It may have pipped the others at the post

This pineapple rum baba number was lovely too

But this classic was lush and loved by all

I hope your foodie soul has enjoyed this and if it’s not too full up check out our local market fun at Rue Cler and Rue de Buci they are definitely worth a visit.